Federal Festival of Marksmen's Brotherhoods

Federal Festival with over 8,000 Marksmen

The Federal Festival of Marksmen's Brotherhoods 2026 is one of Germany's most significant marksmen's events. From September 11th to 13th, 2026, over 8,000 marksmen from across the country will gather in Damme – members of the traditional marksmen's brotherhoods organized at the national level. The sheer number of participants makes the festival a major logistical and festive event.

75th Association Anniversary

A significant occasion is the 75th anniversary of the Marksmen's Brotherhoods Association. This makes the Federal Festival in Damme not just a routine major event, but a jubilee celebration of special dignity. Honors, retrospectives, special presentations, and festive speeches will commemorate 75 years of the association's history.

St. Viktor Marksmen's Brotherhood Rottinghausen as Host

The organizer is the St. Viktor Marksmen's Brotherhood Rottinghausen from the Damme district. Hosting the national Federal Festival is a great honor for a local brotherhood – and an enormous organizational task. Preparations have been underway for months: logistics, accommodation, catering, security, program. When the festival is ready, it is the result of top-level volunteer commitment.

Friday, September 11th – Kick-off

Three central program points will mark the start on Friday:

• Ecumenical Church Service: Significant, as the marksmen's brotherhoods are traditionally Christian-Catholic; an ecumenical service also opens the festival to Protestant participants and highlights the religious dimension
• Grand Tattoo (Großer Zapfenstreich): The traditional military ceremonial rite with torchlight procession, bugle corps, and songs – one of the most impressive program points
• Festival Evening: Grand ceremony with speeches, honors, and a festive atmosphere

Saturday, September 12th – Federal King's Shoot

Saturday is dedicated to the Federal King's Shoot:

• King's Shoot: Representatives of brotherhoods from all over Germany compete to determine the new Federal King – a competition of the highest importance in marksmanship
• Proclamation of the Federal King: The ceremonial announcement of the new Federal King is one of the most emotional moments – the Federal King reigns for the next few years as the supreme representative of the marksmen's brotherhoods

Sunday, September 13th – Field Mass and Grand Parade

The climax is on Sunday:

• Field Mass: A large open-air church service under the sky with all participants – a scene that underscores the spiritual self-understanding of the marksmen's brotherhoods
• Grand Parade: The most spectacular program point – over 8,000 marksmen from all over Germany march through Damme. Bugle corps, guild flags, traditional costumes in various colors and styles, the new Federal King in ceremonial attire – a colorful spectacle that shapes the town for hours

Damme as Host of the Federal Festival

For Damme, hosting the Federal Festival is a great honor and challenge. The town, with its hotels, gastronomy, transport infrastructure, and citizen engagement, has been preparing for this highlight for a long time. Over 8,000 additional guests in one weekend are a considerable demand – and at the same time, an economic boost that benefits the region.